Suction duster for venetian blinds



June 3, 1952 E. c. WESTHOFF ETAL 2,599,420

SUCTION DUSTER FOR VENETIAN BLINDS 2 SHEETS-SHEET J.

Filed March 11, 1950 85 Jesse 2/ ll/fiams Patented June 3, 1952 2,599,420 I SUCTION DUSTER FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Earl C. Westholf, Belton, and Jesse J. Williams, Kansas City", Mo:

Application March 11, 1950, Serial No. 149,064

This invention relates to suction dusters for Venetian blinds and more particularly to such a duster for use with suction cleaning apparatus such as vacuum cleaners.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a suction duster attachment for connection to a suction cleaner hose, the attachment having a head provided withremovable cleaning or dusting felements for engaging opposite sides or faces of slats of a Venetian blind whereby the dusting elements loosen dirt on the blindsand said dirt is drawn into a hose along with air which is drawn through the dusting elementsadjacent the faces of the slat being cleaned; to provide a suction duster having spaced parallel tubular members or branches adapted to straddlea slat of a Venetian blind to be cleaned, each of said branches having spaced dusting elements removably mounted thereon with slots between the dusting elements communicating with a sucti n cleaner hose connection; to provide a suction duster having spaced parallel slotted branches each of which has cylindrical recesses, r sockets sub.- stantially parallel with the slots for removably mounting dusting elements therein; tolprovide dusting elements having sheep, wool spirally mounted thereon adapted to be removably mounted in the sockets of the branches whereby the walls of the sockets tend to turn the fibers of the sheep wool toward the slats being cleaned to increase the density of the fibersengaging said slats; to provide sockets in the branches whereby the walls of the sockets and the fibers of the dusting elements substantially preventfree flow of air to the slots except through the fibers and along the faces of the slat being cleaned; to provide 'a relationship between the walls forming the socketsfor the dusting elementsandthe slots whereby the walls define converging orifices to the slots which are spaced from theslats being cleaned so the sheep wool fibers will ,not enter and obstruct or close the slots; and to provide a suction duster ofthis character 'whichis relativelysimple, economical, durable, and highly eflicient and in which the dusting elements; may

be removed and. turned to place difierent surfaces of said elements in operation for dusting of Venetianlqlinds-v Y In accomplishing these and other objects-of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein: I I v Fig. 1 is a perspective view: of a suction duster constructed according .to the present invention shown engaging a slat of a Venetian-blind.

Claims. (Cl. 15394) Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the suction duster head with the dusting elements shown in spaced disassembled relation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view' through the suction duster head on the line 33, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the suction duster head on the line 44, Fig. 3.

Fig; 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the suction duster head between the parallel branches thereof, 7

dis a partial transverse sectional view illustrating a dusting element being inserted in a socket in the head. I I I Referring more in detail to the drawings: 7

I designates a suction duster having a tubular member 2 provided with an end 3adapted for attachment to one end 4 of a hose of a suction cleaning devicesuch as a vacuum cleaner (not shown), The tubular member 2 is preferably formed of plastic whereby the device may be molded in the shapedesired and have relatively thin walls 5 defining a central passageG through the tubular memberand ribs 1 on the walls to give sufiicient strength thereto.

The tubular member 2 terminates in a head 8 which is slotted inwardly from theend thereof to form spaced parallel branches 9 and I0 arranged at an angle to the tubular member 2, and adapted to straddle a slat or louver ll of a Venetian blind or the like which is usually held between supporting tapes l2 and I3 on the respective sides of the slat. The branches 9 and! are prefera-bly molded integrally with the tubular member 2 and each preferably consists of a wall l 4 formed 7 in a U-shape withthe legs l5 thereof extending toward the other branch and terminating in arcuatewalls' l 6 forming laterally spaced cylindrical sockets IT for receiving duster elements I8 as later described. A web l9 connects the walls 16 of the respective socket members of each branch whereby the U-shaped wall 14, web 19 and portion of the'walls l6 define elongate passages 20 and 2| in the respective branches 9 and I0, said passages communicating as at 22 with the central passage 6 of the tubular member 2.

In order to facilitate molding of the portions of the branches 9 and N, the outer ends thereof are preferably open and cap members 23 are suit- 7 of each of the caps preferably conforms to the contour of the outer surface of the wall l4 and with the cylindrical portions 24 whereby the 3 spacing between the cap members defines the entrance into the space between the branches for slats to be cleaned.

The cap members include extensions 25 which extend into the passageways and 2| of the respective branches, thereby defining shoulders 26' adapted to engage the ends 2] of the walls l4 and IS. A web 28 also extends inwardly from the extensions substantially in alignment with the web I9 between the walls l6 and terminates in a flange 29 which projects toward the space between the branches, the sides30 of the flange 29 en aging the walls l6 and being suitably secured thereto whereby said flange forms the outer terminus of a slot 3| formed in the web IS. The slots 3| are so shaped as to be of increasing width toward the free ends of the branches and have an effective length slightly less than the width of the slats to be cleaned. Also the arrangement of the cap 23, web 28 and flanges 29 defines lateral channels 32 which coincide with notches 33 cut in the inner portions of the walls 6 whereby the channels communicate with the sockets H as later described.

The tubular member 2 is closed between the branches 9 and Ill by a wall 34 and the outer surface thereof is covered by a cushioning material, such as felt 35, to prevent contact of'the Venetian blind slat H with the walls, thus preventing marri and scratching of the finish on said slats. The inner ends of each of the sockets I] are closed by a wall 36 substantially in'alignment with the wall 34 and the outer surface of said wall 36 is provided with a recess 31 substantially coaxial with the respective cylindrical socket to aidin retaining the dusting elements l9 therein, thewalls 34 and 36 being so arranged that all air passing into the passage 6 of the tubular member 2 must be drawn from between the branches 3 andl 0 through the slots 3| and through the passages 20' and 2| to said passage 5.

' Each' of the dusting elements preferably con sists of a cylindrical core 38having sheep wool 39 spiraled thereon and secured by cement or the like." The ends of the sheep wool are cut square with the ends of the cylindrical core 38 and resilient or cushion pads 40' are cemented or otherwise secured on the ends of the cylindrical core 38', the dusting elements'being of such length that one'of the pads 40 willengage one end of the sockets as defin'ed by the cap 23 and the other pad at the other end of the cylindrical core will seat in the respective recess 31 with some compression of the resilient felt or cushion pads to provide friction for retaining the dusting elemeats in the sockets. Also the walls I6 are so shapedthat the diameter of the sockets are sufficiently larger than the cylindrical cores 38 whereby the fibers of the sheep wool may be compressed toward one side by the terminal edges 4| of the walls" IBas the dusting elements are inserted into the sockets through the spaces between the edges 4| of the walls l6, said spaces for the openi s 42 to the respective sockets I1 and when the dusting elements are seated in said sockets the size of the cylindrical cores 38 together with the wool fibers compressed between said cylindrical cores and the walls I6 will form snug fits for the dusting elements, tending to retain same in the sockets.

It'is preferable that the plastic material from which the tubular member 2 and branches 9 and ID are molded has aslight resiliency wherebythe walls |6 extend more than a half circle and the openings 42 are less than the diameter of said socket, thereby providing a gripping action by the ends of the walls IE to aid in retaining the dusting elements in the sockets.

When the dusting elements are located in the sockets, the wool fibers extend from the openings 42 forming a dense, fibrous dusting medium directed toward a slat between the branches 9 and l0 for cleaning and the walls l6 define converging orifices leading to the slots 3| and the wool fibers are held by said walls at a distance from the slots, thereby preventing the wool fibers from entering and obstructing or closing said slots. The walls l1, being notched as at 33, allow the fibers to extend through the channels 32 to substantially obstruct and close the opening between the branches at the outer ends thereof. The dusting elements are removable from the sockets l8 for individual cleaning and also for turning said dusting elements to present a different surface to the slats to be cleaned whereby the entire cylindrical dusting elements give long wear but can be easily replaced when all of the fibers surrounding same are worn.

When the suction duster attachment is connected to a suction hose by suitably engaging the end 3 of the tubular member 2 on the end 4 of the suction hose and said suction duster applied to the slats or tapes of a Venetian blind by moving the branches transversely of the slats whereby the branches straddle same, the slat will be positioned between said branches and engaged by the fibers of the dusting elements as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The suction draws air through the fibers and adjacent the faces of the slats bein cleaned, then through the elongate convergin orifices to the slots 3|, through the passages 20 and 2| to the passage 6, and then through the hose to the suction cleaning device. As the suction duster is moved along the slat or tape, the

dusting elements, and particularly the wool fibers thereon, will loosen and wipe dirt from the faces of the slats and that loosened dirt is drawn by the suction along the faces of the slats through the wool fibers and into the slots 3|. Also the movement of air through the wool fibers tends to vibrate said fibers which helps to free the fibers of dirt and provides an additional movement of the fibers relative to the slats that aids in loosening dirt therefrom, regardless of the transverse contour .of the slats whether they be flat, curved or V-shaped. Also the taper of the slots 3| is such as to provide substantially even distribution of the suction and movement of air therein so the movement of air relative to the slats and particularly over the face thereof is uniform.

The arrangement of the dusting elements in a cylindrical shape and having sheep wool fibers extending outwardly completely therearound and the placing of the dusting elements in the sockets causesthe edges of the walls l6 defining theopening 42 to compress said fibers to form a more compact portion of the fibers for wiping and contacting the faces of the slats. Any dirt adhering to the fibers may be easily cleaned therefrom by dipping the end of the suction duster into gasoline or other cleaning liquid and then shaking the cleaning liquid and dirt therefrom. For a more thorough cleaning, the fibers adjacent the outer end of the dusting elements are grasped and pulled outwardly relatively to the openings 42 to draw the end of the dusting element from the socket l1 whereby said dusting element may be removed and completely cleanedby water, solvent orthe like. After cleaning the dusting' ele ment may be reinserted into the socket, preferably by placing the end adjacentthe wall 36 into the socket and then pressing the outer end inwardly into the socket, whereby the felt ends on the cylindrical core 38 will engage the ends of the socket to retain the dusting element in position. After a portion of the fibers have become Worn, the dustinglelement may be removed and turned to present a new portion of the fibers for contact with theJslats tobe cleaned. Obviously after the entire'dusting element has become worn, it may beveasily replaced with a new element.

The dusting elements are so located that the wool fibers extend from the sides of the branches whereby the.heavier member forming the base of the Venetian blind may be cleaned by turning the suction cleaner on its side, in engagement with said base member to loosen the dust on same and there will be suflicient suction of air through the wool fibers to carry the dust to the vacuum cleaner or the like.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that we have provided an improved suction duster attachment for vacuum sweepers and the like adapted for cleaning Venetian blinds which may be quickly applied to the sweeper hose and the blinds cleaned while in hanging position by the user while standing on the floor of the room from which position the uppermost louvers may be easily reached.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A suction duster for Venetian blinds comprising, a tubular member adapted for connection at one end thereof with a source of suction, spaced parallel hollow branches on the other end of said tubular member and adapted to straddle the slats of a blind, said branches having communication with the tubular member, a plurality of dusting elements having sheep wool thereon, and arcuate members adjacent to and extending along each side of each branch and forming exterior open-sided sockets for receiving and retaining said dusting elements whereby the fibers of the sheep wool engage the faces of a slat between the branches, the sockets in each branch being contiguous to the corresponding sockets in the opposed branch, said branches having slots only along adjacent faces of said branches between the dusting elements, said arcuate members forming elongate orifices leading' to the slots and converging in a direction normal to said branches, said slots having a length relative to the width of the slats to be cleaned to confine the suction to the portion of the duster contacting said slats.

2. A suction duster for Venetian blinds comprising, a tubular member adapted for connection at one end thereof with a source of suction, spaced parallel hollow branches on the other end of said tubular member and adapted to straddle the slats of a blind, said branches having communication with the tubular member, a plurality of cylindrical dusting elements having sheep wool thereon, and arcuate members extending along each side of each branch and forming exterior open-sided laterally spaced sockets for receiving and resiliently retaining said dusting elements whereby the fibers of the sheep wool engage the faces of a slat between the branches, the sockets in each branch being contiguous to the corresponding sockets in the opposed branch, said branches having slots only along adjacent faces of said branches between the dusting elements, said arcuate members forming elongate orifices converging in a direction normal to the hollow branches and leading to the slots from adjacent a slot be- 6 tween the branches, said slots being of increasing width toward the free ends of the branches and having a length relative to the width of the slats to be cleaned to confine the suctionto the portion of the duster contacting said slats..

3. A suction duster for Venetian blinds comprising, a tubular member adapted for connection at one end thereof with a source of suction,- spaced parallel tubular branches on theother end of said tubular member and adapted to straddle the slats of a blind, said branches having communication with the tubular member, arcuate members extending along each side of each branch and formin exterior open-sided cylindrical sockets,the sockets in eachbranchbeing contiguous to the corresponding sockets in theopposed branch, means closing the ends of the cylindrical sockets, and a plurality of cylindrical sheep wool dusting elements removably mounted in the sockets and resiliently engaged by the arcuate members, said sheep wool fibers being compressed by the arcuate members and directed from the exterior opensided cylindrical sockets for contacting a slat to be cleaned between the branches, said branches having slots only along adjacent faces of said branches between the dusting elements, said slots having a length relative to the width of the slats to be cleaned to confine the suction to the portion of the duster contacting said slats.

4. A suction duster for Venetian blinds comprising, a tubular member adapted for connection at one end thereof with a source of suction, spaced parallel tubular branches on the other end of said tubular member and adapted to straddle the slats of a blind, said branches having communication with the tubular member, arcuate members extending from each side of each branch and forming exterior open-sided cylindrical sockets, the sockets in each branch being contiguous to the corresponding sockets in the opposed branch, means closing the ends of the cylindrical sockets, a plurality of cylindrical sheep wool dusting elements removably mounted in the sockets and resiliently engaged by the arcuate members, and resilient members on the ends of the cylindrical elements for engaging the means closing the ends of the sockets to aid in retaining the dusting elements in said sockets, said sheep wool fibers being compressed by the arcuate members and directed from the exterior open-sided cylindrical sockets for contacting a slat to be cleaned between the branches, said branches having slots only along adjacent faces of said branches between the dusting elements, said slots having a length relative to the width of the slats to be cleaned to confine the suction to the portion of the duster contacting said slats.

5. A suction duster for Venetian blinds comprising, a tubular member adapted for connection at one end thereof with a source of suction, spaced parallel tubular branches on the other end of said tubular member and adapted to straddle the slats of a blind, said branches having communication with the tubular member, arcuate members extending from each side of each branch and forming exterior open-sided cylindrical sockets, the sockets in each branch being contiguous to the corresponding sockets in the opposed branch, means closing the ends of the cylindrical sockets, a plurality of cylindrical members, sheep wool spiraled around said cylindrical members to form cylindrical sheep wool dusting elements removably mounted in the sockets and resiliently engaged by the arcuate members, and resilient members on the ends of the cylindrical members for-frictionally engaging the means=closing the ends of the sockets to aid in retaining the dusting elements in said sockets, .said sheep wool fibers being compressed'by the :arcuatemembers and directed from the exterior open-sided cylindrical sockets for contacting a slat to be cleaned between the branches, said branches having slots only along adjacent .faces of :said branches between the dusting elements, said slots being -.of increasing width toward the free ends of the branches and having .a length relative to .the width of the slats to :be .cleaned to confine the suction to the portion -.of the duster contacting said slats.

:EARL C. WESTHOFF. JESSE J.

8 REFERENCES 0.120121) d The following references are of record in the file of this patent: v

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